Monday, February 18, 2013

DIY Tutorial: No Sew Fabric Trimmed Drapes

I promised this last week but lack of sleep prevented me from getting it to you! I fully take advantage

of days that come off of a good night's sleep...so here you go!

To start off, the ready made drapes I used are from West Elm. Find them here. They seemed to be the cheapest but with good quality- and I looked and looked! I also waited until they had a sale and got them 20% off. They are a heavy, white canvas cotton material.

I'm a visual person, so I like to make a drawing of my project. I had two windows with two panels each. I needed 8 strips (4 for each window) that run the length of my drapes plus allowance for turning under along the top and bottom. I also needed 4 strips (2 for each window) that ran the width of the drape plus allowance to turn under or miter. You can determine how wide you want your strip to be plus room for turning for finished edges.. I wanted a 3 inch strip on each side. You need to add allowance to each strip for turning under a pressed seam, and turning to the wrong side of the drape for a finished edge. I added 1.75 to each strip, giving me 3/4 inch to press under on the front and an inch to turn around to the back side of the drape.

When working with drapes, I always lay my fabric out on the floor. It's the easiest way to cut and keep things straight.

Once you have your strips cut, you will need to turn and press an edge that will be on the front of your drape. I use this sewing tool to guide along the edge and fold and press as I go along. My edge turned under was 3/4".

This is what it looks like with the finished pressed edge. I used heat n bond hem tape and cut strips to place all along underneath the fabric and bonded it to the drape. I placed mine onto the drape with a 3 inch width covered. Follow instructions on your package to attach.

At this point you will have one strip bonded to the front of your drape with a finished edge. Next flip the drape over and use more hem tape to bond the remaining fabric (1") to the back side.

Depending on what style drape you have, you might have to do some folding work on the back side to make the drape work properly. Mine are rod pockets so I made a few strategic snips and folded the fabric. I used more hem tape here to bond everything in place. You can see where the rest of the fabric is left to turn and adhere with the tape.

Another view of the back side of the drape being finished off.

I attached the 2 strips that ran the length of the drape first, then finished it off with the bottom piece. To make it look neat and professional, I turned the fabric of the bottom piece into a mitered edge, attached with hem tape, then attached my finished seam, then flipped it all over and finished the back off.

It is so easy and once you get going on it, it goes by really quickly. I love the custom look it gives for our nursery- on a budget!

Hope this helps anyone that might be in the market for customizing their drapes.